Version 6.01

02 January 2023

David March © 2014

FRED MILLER

Frederick David (Fred) Miller was born on 4 January 1889 in Boeh, North Dakota, USA to John Hunter Miller (b 1842) and Evelyn Maud Ransom (b 1867). He had two siblings: Glen Ethan (1891-1925) and Mary J (b 1900). In 1900 he lived in Pontiac, Cass, North Dakota and in 1910, Mount Pleasant, Rolette, North Dakota.

F D Miller first appeared in Saskatoon Henderson Directories in 1917. He was living in the Baldwin Hotel and was employed as a salesman for Heintzman & Co. He was listed as Frederick D Miller living at 843 Temperence St in the the 1918 directory and was employed by Scott Fruit Company. He likely married Phyllis D Mason in 1918 or 1919. She was listed in Saskatoon Henderson Directories at various addresses from 1913 to 1918 and disappeared from the listings in 1919. She worked as a stenographer at several different businesses over the years.

Phyllis was likely born in Hammersmith, London England to Margaret (b 1871) and and possibly, Charles Mason. In the 1912 Saskatoon Hendersons Directory there was a Mrs Margaret Mason, widow of Charles listed. The next year Phyllis appeared in her own listing. A Margaret inconsistently appeared in the directories from 1912 to 1916, but one cannot be sure that any of them were Phyllis' mother as Phyllis and Margaret were never listed at the same address. In the 1901 census for London, England, Margaret was listed as a widow with a 5 year old daughter, Phyllis. Margaret was employed as an ironer in a laundry. On 23 July 1907, Margaret and Phyllis boarded SS ‘Tunisian' in Liverpool, England and arrived in Montreal, Quebec on 2 August 1907. They were destined for Indian Head Saskatchewan, purportedly to meet with Margaret's husband, but it is speculated that might have been incorrect information. Perhaps it was easier to immigrate if authorities thought one had a husband waiting. In 1921 Margaret was listed as a widow and was living with Fred and Phyllis in Saskatoon at Suite 6 Vista Apartments. No record could be found for the Mason family in 1911. Phyllis and Fred remained in Saskatoon until at least 1931. In 1931 they were living at #5 129 11th St and Fred was working as a salesman for Kaufman Rubber. Mrs Margaret Mason was listed at the same address. From 1935 to 1940 Fred and Phyllis were living in Mount Pleasant, North Dakota. At the time of the 1940 census, they had a daughter whose name was very difficult to read. She was born in Canada (likely in Saskatoon) in 1931.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Miller Tree.

Candidate 1

Candidate 2

William Alfred (Fred) Miller was born on 16 August 1885 in Arden, Kennebec Township, Addington, Ontario to John Wesley Miller (1860-1953) and Mary Elizaberh Gallop (1859-1902). His siblings were: George Elton (b 1882), Elidan Emilina (Lily) (b 1883), Charles W (b 1887) and John E (b 1889). He was raised in Kennebec Township. He married Clara Jane Kidd on 16 March 1910 in Brenda, Manitoba. Clara was born on 16 March 1886 in Lanark, Ontario to Thomas Kidd (1844-1909) and Jane (1851-1921). Her siblings were: James (b 1874), Thomas George (b 1882), John Melville (1886-1889), William James (1889-1917), Samuel (b 1891) and John Arthur (1894-1941). The Kidd family lived in Montague Township, Lanark in 1891. In 1901 Clara was enumerated in Carleton Place, Lanark as a visitor. In 1911 Clara and Fred were enumerated in Lisgar, Manitoba. They had one daughter, Mary "Madeline" (1915-1978). In 1916 and 1921 they were living on 16-3-7-1 in Pembina RM, Manitoba. Madeline married Alfred Noel Dance (1903-1978). Madeline and Alfred Dance eventually settled in British Columbia and both died there.

Several people from Manitoba signed in the same area of the quilt, Clara and Fred Miller among them. It is presumed that there must have been a meeting of the Methodist Church in Saskatoon at the time that the quilt was being made as all were identified as Methodist in census records. As Clara and Fred signed directly under each other on the quilt it is likely that they were related. In the 1921 census William was enumerated under the name Fred, so we know that he, at least occasionally, used that name. No other Clara and Fred Miller could be found in the same family in either Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Miller 2 Tree.

We were able to locate two possible candidates for the Fred Miller signature. Although the first one lived in Saskatoon, we were unable to find a Clara Miller associated with him. As Fred Miller and Clara signed right under each other it is very likely that they were closely related. This makes the Saskatoon candidate much less likely to be the signer.